It was with absolute pleasure that I recently sent a text to Chris Rollitt, the genius behind CKR Solar. My message was simple: Thank you for doing what had to be done to honor a promise.In today’s business world, true customer service can be hard to find. Chris honored a commitment made by his salesman, and I am certain it came at no small expense to his company. But I’m here to tell you: THIS is exactly how you "do" customer service.

The Journey (And the Frustrations)  The process took longer than I felt was necessary. There were moments of genuine frustration, but it turned out to be a learning experience for everyone involved.
The turning point came when Iain King stepped in. He pinpointed the exact issue, presented the problem directly to Chris, and from that moment on, the team moved mountains to make it right. The end completely justified the means.
The Bottom Line: It Works!After a good bit of time and patience, I am thrilled to report that our Alabama Power bill is exactly where the salesman said it would be.

Are we getting rich off the system? Not quite. We often find ourselves in a position to sell our excess power back to the grid for a whopping few pennies per kWh... but hey, it beats the alternative of paying a massive utility bill!

A Final Note to the Crew: To the installers and service technicians who worked on our home: What an honor it was to meet each and every one of you. As a group, you are a total class act, without a doubt.

Thank you, CKR Solar, for proving that integrity still matters.

Now that we have our POA (Permission to Operate) from Alabama Power we are thrilled! I can't tell you how much fun it is seeing the system work. We are 'off-grid' the majority of the time and enjoy the freedom to leave town knowing we can monitor everything.

Here's a recent video from CKR Solar's powers that be ... and what they say is true as it can be. I can, without a doubt, recommend them.

Next: The Challenges Escalate

 ... we have received an email from Alabama Power ... it appears we have some choices to make. Honestly, it never occurred to me that we'd have to make some decisions about staying on the grid and how. Don't get me wrong, we didn't expect to be 100% self-sufficient, but ... well, I guess I just didn't know quite what to expect.

Regardless of what your solar company salesman tells you - as they are likely to work with many different utility companies - be prepared to handle some stuff with your power company, if they'll even play. We are fortunate, I feel, to have Alabama Power.  They have been more than helpful and happy we are 'going solar.' Apparently not all power companies feel the same way.

• Alabama Power's Solar Information page / They also have information about hydroelectric power, and nuclear energy.

But wait, there's more! It's confusing ... I mean for the average 74-1/2 year woman to clearly understand, that is. Alabama Power emailed me way more information than I could possibly need and it's overwhelming. But, I know who to contact and I've already sent an email. Stay tuned!

Next: August 30, 2024